MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN PENANG STATE GOVERNMENT (VIA CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG INCORPORATED) AND UN HABITAT (UNITED NATION’S HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME)
SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
AT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN PENANG STATE GOVERNMENT (VIA CHIEF MINISTER OF
PENANG INCORPORATED) AND UN HABITAT (UNITED NATION’S HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME)
6 Oct 2018 at KOMTAR, 10am
It is a great honour to be here with all the invitees today for the MOU Signing Ceremony between the Penang State Government and UN Habitat.
The initiative and idea of signing the MOU between two parties were started after recognizing the existing friendly relations between the Penang State Government and UN Habitat. This MOU is the first of its kind between a Malaysian State Government and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, also known as UN-Habitat. The latter one of the main proponents of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, that Malaysia is committed to fulfilling by 2030.
In line with the aspiration of the Penang State Government to achieve its Vision 2030 to transform Penang into a “Family Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation”, both parties have agreed to collaborate as both share in the common objectives to improve livability, upgrading the economy and empower communities.
UN Habitat, represented by its Executive Director Dato’ Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the former mayor of Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and also a former President of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP), has been engaging with the Malaysian Government to assist Malaysia in its efforts to fulfill its commitment to the SDGs. In the case of Penang, both UN Habitat and the Penang State Government are dedicated to ensuring that Penang becomes a global example of sustainable urban development.
The Penang State Government through its state agency the Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) and its subsidiary the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC) will be among the first to align their projects to support the implementation of the SDGs. We hope that in due course, all state government and state related agencies will adopt the SDGs in the planning, implementation and monitoring of their projects.
This is very timely as the Penang State Government is currently reviewing the State Structure Plan and is now seeking public inputs from now until 19 November 2018. UN Habitat have agreed to assist and provide technical support in this process of consultation.
The Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) brings to the table private sector involvement in sustainable urban development. This is not only involving public realm improvements but also ensuring that true value is a key driver of economic development. UN Habitat currently has the City Prosperity Index that measures true value of urbanisation through a set of indicators on environment, social and the economy. The State Government proposes to work with UN Habitat to ensure Penang adheres to the SDGs as the basis for future development, the Penang State Government hopes to attract foreign direct investors who are confident with the State’s commitment to sustainable business.
Through CMI subsidiary, the GTCDC, the State Government has also started a set of public realm improvement projects that demonstrate culture based urban regeneration. These projects can become global examples of plan-led urban regeneration, one important element of the SDGs. Going forward, this MOU enables GTCDC to work together with UN Habitat to ensure that these projects adhere to the New Urban Agenda and its objective of developing a "city for all".
Among the key areas of cooperation under this Memorandum of Understanding includes ensuring that the SDGs become the basis for the Penang Structure Plan; the State is also looking forward to working with UN Habitat in the area of Housing, Mobility, Transport and Urban Regeneration. Another key area is land use and city extension where UN Habitat has expertise in planning for sustainable economic and social development.
The State Government will also continue working with Think City, which is UN Habitat's strategic partner in Malaysia. The State Government is also planning for capacity building programmes involving training, knowledge transfer and joint projects.
The MOU is for 5 years beginning 2018 and will involve different phases of cooperation based on both current and future needs. The State Government will commit to financial contribution to joint projects arising from this MOU based on current and future needs. Any future projects will be subject to agreements on a case by case basis
Finally, I hope the MOU between the both parties will be a good synergy to promote and accelerate the implementation of the Penang 2030, New Urban Agenda and the urban dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals to make Penang a resilient city.
Thank you.